City Council hears an effort to get Philly workers to jobs in the suburbs

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Members of the Transportation Justice Coalition held a press conference at Philadelphia City Hall on Wednesday, asking the city to expand a program that would get more workers to jobs in the suburbs.

"We actually give the workers a vehicle," said Tim Styer, who runs the Philadelphia Unemployment Project Commuter Options program, a pool service whereby Philadelphia residents who work for the same employer get a car. Then they ride together each day to work.

He says half of Philadelphia residents who live below the median income do not have a car.

"Employers are looking for people. There's no transporation," said John Dodds, who runs the Philadelphia Unemployment Project.

They run 12 carpools that take 64 workers to suburban jobs. They have a $55,000 grant from PennDOT and need matching funds from the city -- but also would like to increase support to $250,000 to get 300 workers to suburban jobs.

"They pay $10, $12, $14 an hour, which is a lot better than what people can make in the city," he said.

Daryl Douglass says he'd need to take a train and buses, and then a walk a mile to get to work.

"It would take about 90 minutes to get to the job site," he said.

The car pool saves time. PUP says 13 members of City Council have expressed support.